JALC Presents "A Few Good Men"

November 13, 2015

BY TERI CAMPBELLLogan Media Services

CARTERVILLE, IL, November 13, 2015– John A. Logan College will present “A Few Good Men,” the hit Broadway play about a young Navy lawyer assigned to the case of two Marines accused of murder after a hazing incident on their base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, goes terribly wrong.

Two evening performances are set for Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. in Logan’s O’Neil Auditorium. A matinee will be held on Friday, Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. Tickets for the evening shows are $15 for general admission and $10 for JALC students. Tickets for the matinee are $2 for the general public and free to Logan students and staff.

Diane Taveau of Herrin, a long-time director and performer, is directing the production.

“The play ‘A Few Good Men’ is very much like the movie that came out several years ago,” Taveau said. “Aaron Sorkin wrote the play and also wrote the screenplay for the film, and he stayed true to the story. Anyone who saw the movie and enjoyed it will really enjoy the play. I think people will actually like the play better because live theater is always more engaging than watching a film because people feel like they’re more a part of the story.”

Michael Wilson, a senior at Southern Illinois University, has a lead role in the play.

“I play Lt. J.G. Daniel Kaffee, a naval officer and recent graduate of Harvard Law School,” Wilson said. “He is assigned to defend two Marines who are charged with the murder of a fellow Marine in order to get them to take a plea bargain. But the other lawyers on his team and his clients encourage him to take the case to trial to fight the charges against them. In doing so, he exposes some corruption in the Marine Corps ranks.

“It’s a character I really like playing.” Wilson continued. “My department chair at SIU is a big fan of the play, and he turned me onto the script about a year and a half ago. I was immediately drawn to the role of Kaffee, and I can identify with him in a lot of ways. I’m thrilled I got the opportunity to play him.”

This is the first play Wilson has done at JALC and he has high praise for the other members of the cast.

“This is my first time working with any of these actors and it’s been a real joy,” he said. “They are all extremely talented and passionate about their work. A few of the actors are former members of the military and they bring that spirit with them to their roles. The way they carry themselves and approach their scenes is very authentic.”

Murphysboro resident Tim McNichols is one of the actors who has a military background, having served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years. He plays the role of Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep.

“Jessep is the commander of Marine forces at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and is a rising star in the military,” McNichols said. “I played this role in a production in 2008 when I was living in Miami, Florida, and it’s one of my favorite roles. Jessep is a prideful, vitriolic, and explosive character. He’s kind of your classic bad guy and is great fun to portray.”

Taveau would like a big turnout for the play and hopes many military service members will come see it.

“We decided to do this play at this time because we wanted to honor our military service personnel,” Taveau said. “We recently commemorated Veterans Day, and I think it’s important to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our veterans.”

The cast and crew of "A Few Good Men" are asking audience members who come to the show to bring a non-food item to donate, and all items will be given to the Marion VA Medical Center. Donations can include: socks, diabetic socks, undershirts, board games, decks of cards, books and magazines (new or slightly used), personal grooming items, and gift cards.

For more information about “A Few Good Men” or to obtain advance tickets, contact the Office of Student Activities and Cultural Events at JALC at 618-985-2828 or 618-457-7676, Ext. 8287.

"We are a diverse learning and teaching community committed to improving individual life and society through high-quality, accessible educational programs and engaged learning opportunities."

Core Values: •RESPONSIBILITY •RESPECT •INTEGRITY •COMPASSION •SERVICE

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Dr. Steve O’Keefe at 618-985-2828 ext. 8569 or email at steveokeefe@jalc.edu.